Degree Requirements

• According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, a bachelor's degree is generally necessary for a stockbroker position. Employers prefer majors such as accounting, finance or economics, but liberal arts candidates are not uncommon in the occupation. Stockbrokers with significant supervisory responsibilities -- or those working at large firms -- often possess a master's degree.
  
  

Licensure

• Licensure is a prerequisite for most stockbroker roles, and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority administers licensing programs to which brokers must abide. To become a stockbroker, FINRA requires that a professional work for a registered company for at least four months and pass the Series 7 Exam, also called the General Securities Registered Representative Examination.
  
  

Tasks

• A stockbroker buys and sells shares and other securities on behalf of individual investors or institutional fund managers. The broker completes transactions through market makers or as an agent-only broker. This type of broker assumes no risk of holding the investment products, unlike a principal-basis broker who buys and holds securities before selling them to investors.
  
  

Skill Set

• To adeptly perform tasks, stockbrokers display skills such as effective communication, time management ability, being good with numbers and familiarity with the minutiae of stock markets and investment mechanisms. Being analytical and a quick thinker are also helpful, especially when it comes to sifting through vast reams of data and making decisions in real time and in a fast-paced environment.
  
  

Tools

• A securities broker relies on state-of-the-art technology to carry out duties effectively. The tools of the trade include financial analysis software, market database terminals, mainframe computers, calendar and scheduling software, categorization or classification programs and mainframe computers. Other tools include computer-aided trading software and information retrieval or search software.
  
  

Stock Markets

• A stockbroker parlays professional abilities in various markets, most of which hold a physical address and have regular working hours. Examples include the New York Stock Exchange, the London Stock Exchange and the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. Platforms such as the Nasdaq enable market players to buy and sell securities via electronic conduits. Nasdaq stands for National Association of Securities Dealers' Automated Quotations.
  
  

Regulatory Compliance

• Besides FINRA, stockbrokers must abide by U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission directives, as well as state laws in jurisdictions where they operate.